The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-03-16
EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS.

Meeting of School Superintendents.
WASHINGTON, March 15-The annual meet
Ing of the Department of Superintendence, Ma
tionsl Educational Association, began this morn
ing in the hall of the National Museum. The
president. Hon. Charles S. Young, Of Carson
City. New, called the assembly to order. Mr..
Young introduced District Commissioner Webb,
who delivered the address of welcome.
Mr. Young in replying to the address of vel
come, said he regretted to see suggestions that
this department should meet in the summer
time with the National Association. The de-
partment should not be- overpowered by the
many. who are only gazers.o in the work of
education. This department, he insisted, should
continue to be the body to which the people
should look for counsel on educational matters.
This should be the educational senate Through
the work of this department the National Edu-
catioual Association established in advance
Of all similar bureaus in other countries. Still,
the work of the department was just begun.
The lack OF uniformity 10 States in granting
certificates, and on other subjects, demanded
attention. In education, he said, lies the Sc
curity of the whole people. Six million Of our
people over ten years Of age can neither read
nor write This condition will exist until aid
is afforded by the legislators who assembled
at the Capitol but who seemed to
assemble in every other interest
except the educational interest He referred to
expenditures for public education in France,
Germany. Holland and other countries There
was nothing in their history against government
aid to the national nurseries of science and
learning. After referring to Washington's plea
Tor national university in this city, Mr. Young
said the only real inspiration of the last session
OF Congress seemed to be millions for defense.
but not one cent for education Not even the
cornerstone of Washington's ideal university
had vet been laid. There may soon be demand
for q great normal school The State institu-
tons could not meet the demand for trained
teachers. He referred to the work carried on
by existing scientific bureaus OF the govern
ment, and asked whether there was any better
reason for aiding such science than for promot-
ing the science of pedagogy. He referred to the
fate of the Blair bill as a defeat Of the will of
the people. These and other reasons explained
why they met at the national capital this year.
and would meet here for many years TO come to
discuss national questions.
City Superintendent F. s. Campbell, Of Oak
land, Cal. then spoke on public education on the
Pacific coars. He dwelt at some length on night
schools and their advantages, and called atten-
ton to the needs OF large class which they met
In the earlier days Of the settlement of the
West, he said, the East was, a matter of
course, far ahead of the West in its facilities
ani its system of education; but he felt to-day
that the West had proited by the example of
the East in reaching out for the very best educa-
tioDal facilities possible.
An interesting discussion followed, led by s.
d. Waterman, of Stockton, CAL, and Prof. j.
P. Fogg, of Eureka, New.
In the afternoon DR.. A. J. Ryckof talked on
"a Teachers Certificate" The discussion that
followed was led by Hon. w. W. Jones, of Lin
coin. Neb.. and NJ. E. Hard, of Gallipolis O.
Among the members present TO-DAY were Hon.
L. d Brown. of Columbus. O.; w. H. Bartholo-
D
Virginia; Fl. S. Jones, of Erie, Pa; O. A.
Lothian, of Danville ILL.,; A. G. Lane of Hi
nois; w: H. Anderson. of Wheeling, w. Va;
Mrs. M. d. Hayne, of the Illinois State Normal
Warren Easton, of Baton Rouge, La; H. W.
Compton, Of Toledo, O.; J. c. Ellis, of Chicago;
Miss Mary Desha, of Kentucky: Mrs. Julia N.
Clark, of Tennessee, and Belle Wilbur, of Maple
Rapids, Mich:
The officers of the department. are: Hon.
Chas. s. Young, of Nevada, president; Supern
tendent n Z. Dougherty of Peoria, ILL.,, vice
president and superintendent; Charles C. David
son. of Alliance o.. secretary.
The evening session held in conjunction
with the American Institute of Civics. The sub
ject for discussion was Civil Service and Pub
lie Schools" The principal address of the even
ing was delivered by Hon. Leroy D. Brown
State Com missioner of Common Schools of Ohio
At present, Mr.. Brown said. the almost univer
sal practice was to eject school trustees. I,
seemed to him that some modification of thu
present method of choosing boards of education
should be adopted. The time had come wher
the department. Of superintendent should seel
to discover and apply remedy. An "intelli
gent" or, if not that, then at least 'characte
qualification" should govern in the selection o
school trustees.
Mr. B. S. Morgan, State Superintendent o
Public Instruction, of West Virginia, deploret
the partisan prostitution of public schools. ant
said reform was necessary in examinations
tenure of Office for teachers, and unlfication o
work.
Superintendent of Schools George G. Luckey
OF Pittsburg, Pa, said the trouble was tina
rings" controlled the election of trustees, ant
that the remedy lay with the people.
DR.. a. r. Waite. of Boston, president Of tn
Association of Civics Thomas P. Ballard, o
Columbus, O.; W. Fl. Anderson. superintendent
Of schools of Wheeling. W. Va; J. D. Hale, o
Washington, and DR. A. p. Marble, superintend
emit of schools OF Worcester, Mass. also CAV
their views the question. DR.. Marble too
the ground that things were by no means as ba
as they had been pictured.